It's funny how things have turned out for some of the top rated WEST teams to start things off. The Mavs get to play the Warriors, who match up very well and actually could make this a long seriers for Dallas. I think Dallas will win but it won't be easy. The Spurs also face the teams that I think matches up the best with them in Denver. Again, I could see this one going 7. The Suns, now with Amare this year, I think will handle Kobe and company pretty easily, it's done in 4 games. Houston and Utah, I don't know who is the favorite but they will probably go all 7.

It really depends on Nene.. if he can prove to be a credible offensive threat he could really give the Spurs trouble. Since Bowen is going to be out on Anthony, Nene could help to collapse the defense and open things up for AI or Kleiza. He may even be able to force Duncan into foul trouble.

He's been playing great for the last 10 games or so... hopefully he'll keep it up.

It really depends on Nene.. if he can prove to be a credible offensive threat he could really give the Spurs trouble. Since Bowen is going to be out on Anthony, Nene could help to collapse the defense and open things up for AI or Kleiza. He may even be able to force Duncan into foul trouble.

He's been playing great for the last 10 games or so... hopefully he'll keep it up.

I think the Mavs will win ,but it will be a tough series it'll go 6.
The Spurs will win in 5 over Denver.
Houston will beat Utah in 6
The Suns will beat the Lakers in 7.- This is going to be a better series than people think.

It really depends on Nene.. if he can prove to be a credible offensive threat he could really give the Spurs trouble. Since Bowen is going to be out on Anthony, Nene could help to collapse the defense and open things up for AI or Kleiza. He may even be able to force Duncan into foul trouble.

Excellent analysis ... and I agree with you Triple, Nene is the wild card. He has improved each and every week this season. If his game takes a decent-sized jump in this series, Nuggets can definitely win.

Suns were supposed to roll last year over the Lake Show. Didn't quite happen that way.

Suns will win....but not in 4.

Um.........maybe the fact that Amare didn't play at ALL last season might have had something to do with that. People always forget that. Oh wait a minute.........that's right, they didn't have Kurt Thomas either in the playoffs. I guess Boris Diaw was our low post threat because Tim Thomas sure isn't a low post player and Marion is more of a slasher too. I definately think the Suns will have a much easier time with the Lakers this year with 2 really good true post players and low post defenders. I was amazed the Suns made it as far as they did last year with the bodies they had.

To me, the X-factor for the Nuggets will be the shooting of Steve Blake, JR Smith and Linas Kleiza. The Spurs are going to clog the paint, that's a given. They're going to double Carmelo every time he gets the ball in the post and they'll send extra defenders to cut off Iverson's lanes to the basket. It's going to be up to the aforementioned trio to knock down the open shots they're going to get when the Spurs defense collapses on Iverson & Anthony. If they can do that with some consistency, the Nuggets can make a series of it.

Sorry Nuggets fans, but you are not getting past any team from Texas, especially the Spurs.

You might have had a chance against those p***Y ass Mavs, but the Spurs are gonna eat you up.

I think the one thing the Nuggets have working in their favor is that both Mellow and Iverson can also shoot great. They don't always have to drive to the hole. They both can spot up and take their defenders off the dribble to.

Um.........maybe the fact that Amare didn't play at ALL last season might have had something to do with that. People always forget that. Oh wait a minute.........that's right, they didn't have Kurt Thomas either in the playoffs. I guess Boris Diaw was our low post threat because Tim Thomas sure isn't a low post player and Marion is more of a slasher too. I definately think the Suns will have a much easier time with the Lakers this year with 2 really good true post players and low post defenders. I was amazed the Suns made it as far as they did last year with the bodies they had.

I thought Nash was supposed to be able to raise the work production of every member of the franchise? If that's the case than it doesnt matter if Stoudemire is out there or not, right?